MTB TRAIL STATS

Avg Rating:	9 trail reviews
Status: Open updated 1/12/09 by wisky_lo Closed Open Wet / Sketchy	Difficulty: Advanced
Length: 16 miles	Global Rank: 33
Tread: Singletrack	Configuration: Loop
Ridden: 113	Wishlist: 48
Avg. Speed: 17.2 mph	Avg. Time: 0hr 56min

 

Pfeiffer in Nevada City

 

Meyers Trail in Nevada City

 

Aptos Fire Road in Aptos

 

Hazel Loop in Folsom

 

  
reviewed by skibum on September 5, 2009

This is, hands down, one of the rockin'est trails you'll ever see. Well worth the 20 clams for a shuttle ride to the top. Well over 4k feet of almost continuous descent ranging from buff to technical, and great scenery to boot. Not for the timid, but other than that, you can't go wrong with a run down the Downieville Downhill. There are a number of routes, but the classic remains the best: Sunrise, Butcher Ranch, Third Divide, Upper First Divide, and Lower First Divide.

Similar Trail: Big Boulder

  
reviewed by Juan_Gear on August 4, 2009

Was tore up, big bikes and small brains lead to lots of braking bumps, in places ya shouldnt be braking. Doah!

  
reviewed by ChiliPepper on June 3, 2009

Have not rode here since 2005, but this place kicks b*** and the DH is off the charts!!! If you want a place to get some serious hardcore DH in, come here bros!

  
reviewed by pyros46290 on March 15, 2008

DOWNIEVILLE ROX!!! anyone who rides should check this place out at least once. really cool area to ride during summer. just remember mosquito repellant and dont plan on going in winter it will be under 3 feet of snow

Similar Trail: northstar

  
reviewed by bakerstetter on December 20, 2007

This trail is awesome!! I came up from San Diego to ride this trail and it was definitely worth it. The top is pretty flowy and fast. The you drop down into rock garden central. Pretty techy, but very fun. Took a few spills over the handlebars. You get to ride through creeks and when you get to the bottom. choose the route that take you to the downieville downhill race course. what an awesome view. you ride along the side of a big cliff which can be a little hairy at times. Awesome trail, can't wait to go back.

Similar Trail: Noble Canyon

  
reviewed by Jeff_Hartman on September 21, 2006

I agree with everything in the previous reviews. This was the best singletrack riding I have experienced. My 15 year old son and I rented gear and shuttles from Yuba Expeditions over 2 days. They were professional, helpful and the nomads were very well maintained, eventhough we had one flat, a broken chain and spoke. We rode in the middle of the big heat wave that hit the U.S. this summer, so we took it very slow, with times well over 2 hrs. It was so hot, it was hard to stay hydrated. Must have taken in 50 oz per ride. For me, a mostly xc rider, this was a very technical trail, and I still can't see how someone runs it in less than an hour without looking like they have been through a meat grinder. But hey, I am 53, and you kids are mostly made of unbreakable cartilage. I highly recommend this trail ride for anyone with good MTB handling skills and the right gear.

Similar Trail: Nothing I have ridden in Alaska or the Yukon compares

  
reviewed by dwichman on June 6, 2006

Sick sick sick! Downieville is over an hour of sick and fast single track downhill (under an hour if you're sick too) with very little climbing (if you shuttle of course, which you don't have to). It's pretty much all singletrack except for some fire road near the end when you come into town. The terrain is not too technical in most places, but it does give you a few rocky sections that will pose a technical challenge even to seasoned technical riders. It's mostly fast and fun singletrack that twists around beautiful redwoods, rocks, rivers, etc. It's long and after 15+ miles of nonstop downhill most people will be beat, so it's not for the faint of heart. We usually stay for a couple of days, get two shuttle runs in one day, and then just chill the rest of the time. The more hardcore riders will do more. What makes downieville so much fun is not only the riding, but the town itself. The people are way cool and are always friendly. The town is small and comfy, has 2 bike shops, a bar, a pizza place (not so good pizza, but mix w/ beer and it becomes good), and cute little B&B's and hotel/motels. I know, tuff MTB'ers don't stay in B&Bís! Don't worry, I won't tell.

  
reviewed by gar29 on August 24, 2005

I love this trail, always a great ride! As Juan said, book a shuttle with Yuba Expeditions, they're awesome. If you want some extra riding tacked onto the 17 miles of downhill, ride about 5 miles past the Butcher Ranch trail head, and ride down the Pauley Creek trail, which eventully meets back up with the Butcher Ranch trail.

Similar Trail: No others like it in NorCal

  
reviewed by Juan_Gear on June 16, 2005

They are now called Yuba Expedition. Greg and the crew are the best. Trail changes every trip down (rocks move) If you are for real riders with all the skills. Superlight xc bikes with 2.4 motoraptors are the set up. There are s***er sections that can finish your day the first trip. Did it in 50.46 with two lay downs rating is 15

MTB Trail Dashboard